§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will hold an international arms fair in 1998; and, if so, where it will be held; what it will cost; and to whom invitations will be extended. [HL2536]
§ Lord GilbertHer Majesty's Government will not hold any international defence exhibitions in 1998. The Government will, however, participate in September 1998 in the Farnborough International Air Show, which is a commercial event organised and run by the Society of British Aerospace Companies. The responsibility for major defence exhibitions previously organised by the Ministry of Defence has recently been transferred to the private sector. I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given in another place by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 8 June 1998 (Official Report, Col. 423).